Sale: CNG 63, Lot: 1673. Estimate $1000.  Closing Date: Wednesday, 21 May 2003.  Sold For $1400. This amount does not include the buyer’s fee.

CONSTANTINE IX. 1042-1055. AR Miliaresion (2.53 gm). Constantinople mint. +ÐECPOI NA CWZOIC, the Virgin orans, standing on footstool, wearing pallium and maphorium / EVCEBH MONOMAXON, Constantine standing, in military uniform consisting of cuirass, tunic, cloak and high boots, holding long cross and scabbard containing sword. DOC III 7; SB 1834. VF, a few scratches, nice large flan. Rare. ($1000)

The obverse Virgin is reminiscent of the Virgin Hagiosoritissa relief located at Dumbarton Oaks in Washington, DC. This, as well as the celebrated mosaic portraits of Constantine IX and his consort Zoe in Hagia Sophia, vividly demonstrates the high artistic standard that the imperial workshop at Constantinople could achieve in the mid-11th century. The military type is unsuited for the unwarlike Constantine, but the legend "O Lady, protect the pious Monomachos" certainly reflects the atmosphere of crisis during his reign, during which Constantine had to face several rebellions.

The miliaresion is found in two sizes, of which this is the larger. A hoard found at Oxarve in Sweden consisted of 100 pieces, evenly divided between the two types. Since contemporary hoards of gold show similar divisions between the histamenon and tetartron (meaning that payments were acceptable in both types as long as the percentages were equal), there must also have been a recognized difference between the two silver types.